United News of Bangladesh

A Japanese court on Wednesday sentenced a man who admitted to assassinating former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to life imprisonment, a case that has drawn attention to long-standing ties between Japan’s ruling party and a controversial South Korean religious group, NHK reported. Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, pleaded guilty to killing Abe in July 2022 while the former leader was giving an election campaign speech in Nara. The Nara District Court confirmed the verdict and handed down a life sentence, in line with prosecutors’ demands. The trial, which began in October, saw Yamagami admit to murder. Abe, one of Japan’s most influential politicians, was serving as a lawmaker after stepping down as prime minister when he was shot dead. His killing shocked the nation, known for strict gun control. During the trial, Yamagami said he was motivated by anger toward a controversial religious group after seeing a video message Abe sent to a faction linked to the Unification Church. He told the court his aim was to harm the church and expose its connection with Abe. Prosecutors sought life imprisonment, while Yamagami’s lawyers argued for no more than 20 years, citing his troubled childhood as the son of a church follower. While Japanese law allows the death penalty for murder, prosecutors usually seek it only in cases involving multiple victims. The assassination intensified scrutiny of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s ties to the church, prompting the party to distance itself from the group. Investigations later led to the Japanese branch of the church losing its tax-exempt status and being ordered dissolved. The case also prompted authorities to review and strengthen security for political figures. Abe was shot on July 8, 2022, outside a train station in Nara. Television footage showed him collapse after two shots, with officials saying he died almost instantly. Yamagami was arrested at the scene and later said he had originally planned to target the Unification Church leader but switched to Abe due to security difficulties. Read More: Japan PM plans snap election to seek fresh mandate The case highlighted the challenges faced by children of Unification Church followers and influenced legislation aimed at curbing coercive donation practices. Yamagami has also drawn public sympathy from critics of the church, with thousands signing petitions seeking leniency and others sending care packages to his family and the detention center where he is held.

The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility for an explosion at a Chinese restaurant in Kabul, Afghanistan, that killed at least seven people, including a Chinese national. Afghan authorities said Tuesday that the cause of the blast is still under investigation. IS said in a statement on its Aamaq news agency late Monday that a suicide bomber entered the restaurant, popular with Chinese nationals, and detonated an explosive vest during a gathering. The group claimed 25 people were killed or injured, including Taliban guards, though the figures could not be independently verified. The statement also issued a warning to Chinese citizens in Afghanistan, linking the attack to China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims. Afghan Interior Ministry spokesperson Mufti Abdul Mateen Qani said the cause of the blast is being investigated. Police reported that the explosion occurred near the restaurant’s kitchen in the Shahr-e-Naw district, killing one Chinese national and six Afghans, with several others wounded. The restaurant is jointly owned by an Afghan man, a Chinese national, and his wife. China condemned the attack, confirming one citizen dead and five wounded. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged Afghan authorities to protect Chinese nationals, provide medical care, and bring the perpetrators to justice. China also advised its citizens to avoid travel to Afghanistan and strengthen safety measures. The Italian charity EMERGENCY said it treated 20 casualties from the blast, including seven dead. CCTV reported two Chinese citizens seriously injured and a security guard killed. Footage from Tolo News showed panic and smoke near the scene. Karachi mall fire kills 23 as rescuers search for missing Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the bombing, blaming the Taliban government for failing to prevent militant activities. Tajik authorities also reported killing four gunmen who crossed from Afghanistan overnight, though Afghan officials said they were drug smugglers. The IS group has carried out several attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will not endorse elections in military-ruled Myanmar, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said Tuesday, citing concerns over the lack of inclusive and free participation. Myanmar’s military-backed party appeared set to secure a parliamentary majority after the second round of voting earlier this month in the country’s first general election since the army ousted the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. The takeover sparked widespread opposition, which has escalated into a civil war. Human rights groups and opposition parties have criticized the polls as neither free nor fair, describing them as an attempt by the military to legitimize its rule. Speaking in Parliament, Mohamad Hasan said ASEAN leaders decided at their October summit not to send official observers because the conditions for a credible election were not met, although some member countries did so individually. Myanmar’s Information Ministry reported that Cambodia and Vietnam were among nations that sent observers. Taiwan hails its ‘best’ trade deal with US, as China protests Mohamad Hasan emphasized that ASEAN requires elections to allow comprehensive and free participation rather than being conducted in phases or under restrictions that exclude certain candidates. “We didn’t send observers and by virtue of that, we don’t certify the election,” he said, marking the first clear statement from the 11-member bloc that it will not recognize the election results. ASEAN has repeatedly called on Myanmar’s military to implement its agreed peace plan, including ending violence, ensuring humanitarian access, and holding inclusive dialogue. While Myanmar’s military leaders have been suspended from ASEAN summits, the bloc remains divided between engagement and pressure strategies. Myanmar denies genocide, calls Rohingya crackdown counterterrorism at ICJ Final results for all national and regional legislative seats are expected later this month.

The death toll from a major fire at a shopping plaza in Karachi climbed to 23 on Monday as rescue teams pulled more bodies from the heavily damaged structure, police said, while dozens of people are still unaccounted for. The blaze, which broke out on Sunday, was brought under control late that night—almost 24 hours later—allowing rescuers to begin searching inside the multistory building. City police chief Asad Raza said authorities are concerned the number of fatalities could increase as efforts continue to locate 46 missing individuals. Speaking to The Associated Press, Raza said only six victims have been identified so far. Police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed said most of the bodies were badly burned and unrecognizable, making DNA testing necessary. Doctors are collecting DNA samples from relatives of those reported missing. Local media outlets have reported that at least 26 people may have died in the incident. Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah told reporters that search operations were ongoing for both survivors and victims. He confirmed that a firefighter was among those killed and announced that the provincial government would provide compensation of 10 million rupees ($36,000) to each bereaved family. Read More: At least 25 injured in fireworks storage blast in Karachi Rescue workers continued operating into the night, facing difficulties accessing certain parts of the unstable building where some people were believed to be trapped after losing contact with their families. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said operations would continue until everyone missing was located. According to Karachi’s chief rescue officer, Dr. Abid Jalal Sheikh, the fire spread rapidly because many shops stored flammable items such as cosmetics, clothing and plastic materials. Outside the charred plaza, anxious relatives gathered on Monday, waiting for updates. Qaiser Ali said his wife, daughter-in-law and sister had gone shopping for an upcoming wedding when the fire broke out. He said he was in contact with them by phone on Sunday before communication suddenly stopped. Read More: Death toll rises to 10 in Karachi shopping plaza fire “I don’t know what has happened to them or if they are still alive,” Ali said, adding that the family continued to pray for the safe return of all those missing. Another survivor, Saifur Rehman, said he managed to escape the building when the fire started, but his brother Mohammad Abrar, who owns a shop in the plaza, remained inside. Rehman said he feared the worst. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and police have launched an investigation. Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, has experienced several deadly fires in the past, often linked to weak safety regulations and illegal construction. In November 2023, a shopping mall fire in the city killed 10 people and injured 22. An even deadlier incident occurred in 2012, when a garment factory fire claimed 260 lives.

The death toll from a devastating fire at a shopping plaza in Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, rose to at least 23 on Monday as rescue teams recovered more bodies from the severely damaged building, police said, while dozens of people remain unaccounted for. Firefighters brought the blaze under control late Sunday, nearly 24 hours after it broke out at the multistory plaza, allowing rescuers to begin searching inside. Authorities warned that the number of fatalities could increase as efforts continue to locate 46 missing people, according to Karachi Police Chief Asad Raza. Raza told The Associated Press that only six of the recovered bodies have been identified so far. Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Sye said the remaining bodies were badly charred and beyond recognition, making DNA testing necessary for identification. Read More: Death toll rises to 10 in Karachi shopping plaza fire Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said rescue teams were continuing operations to find survivors and recover bodies. He confirmed that a firefighter was among those killed and announced that the provincial government would provide compensation of 10 million rupees (about $36,000) to the family of each victim. Karachi’s Chief Rescue Officer Dr Abid Jalal Sheikh said the fire spread rapidly through shops storing highly flammable materials, including cosmetics, garments and plastic products. Relatives of the missing gathered outside the gutted building on Monday, anxiously awaiting information. Qaiser Ali said his daughter, daughter-in-law and sister were inside the plaza when the fire broke out on Saturday. He said he remained in contact with them by phone until Sunday, after which communication ceased. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Police said an investigation is underway.

At least 10 people have died in a massive fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza shopping complex as rescue teams continue searching for dozens reported missing, officials said Monday. Firefighters brought the blaze under control late Sunday, nearly 24 hours after it started, allowing rescuers to recover four more bodies overnight, raising the confirmed death toll to 10. Local media reported that up to 14 people may have died. The fire, which broke out late Saturday, spread quickly through shops storing cosmetics, garments, and plastic goods, said Dr. Abid Jalal Sheikh, the city’s chief rescue officer. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said around 60 people were reported missing, prompting a large-scale search operation. Families of the missing gathered outside the damaged building Monday, many in tears. The cause of the fire has not been determined, and police said an investigation is ongoing. Karachi has a history of deadly fires, often linked to poor safety standards and illegal construction. In November 2023, a shopping mall fire killed 10 people, and a 2012 garments factory fire claimed 260 lives.

Chinese police have detained those responsible for a steel factory in the Inner Mongolia region after an explosion killed two people and sent 84 others to hospital, with eight still missing. City authorities in Baotou said a pressurised storage tank used to hold steam and high-temperature water exploded at a Baogang United Steel plant at around 3pm local time on Sunday. The blast triggered tremors across nearby areas, officials said on Monday. Rescue teams are continuing their search for eight people who remain unaccounted for. A representative of Baotou’s Information Office told a news conference that emergency crews were working around the clock at the site. Baogang United Steel is a major state-owned enterprise, according to Chinese state media.

Indonesian rescuers on Sunday recovered a body while searching for 11 people aboard a plane that crashed in a mountainous area on Sulawesi island. Muhammad Arif Anwar, head of Makassar’s Search and Rescue Office, said the body of a man was found in a ravine about 200 meters (656 feet) deep on the slope of Mount Bulusaraung, near scattered debris from the aircraft. Rescue teams also discovered parts of the plane frame, passenger seats, and visually identified what is believed to be the turboprop ATR 42-500’s engine. The aircraft, operated by Indonesia Air Transport, was en route from Yogyakarta on Java to Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi, when it disappeared from radar shortly after air traffic control instructed it to correct its approach. Onboard were eight crew members and three passengers from the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry on a maritime surveillance mission. Search efforts have been hampered by strong winds, heavy fog, and steep terrain, with visibility near the summit reportedly around five meters, said Maj. Gen. Bangun Nawoko, South Sulawesi’s military commander. Brig. Gen. Andre Clift Rumbayan, leading specialized search units, said rescuers spotted additional bodies along a steep cliff but could not reach them. Indonesian plane with 11 aboard goes missing; search underway Operations were suspended Sunday night due to darkness and are set to resume Monday morning. Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on air and ferry transport and has experienced numerous transportation accidents in recent years, including plane, bus, and ferry crashes.

At least two people were killed and 66 others were taken to hospital after an explosion ripped through a factory in China’s Inner Mongolia region on Sunday. According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, the blast occurred at a Baogang United Steel plant in Baotou city at around 3 pm local time. The explosion sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky and caused tremors in nearby areas. Indonesian rescuers recover body, plane wreckage in Sulawesi mountains The report said three of the injured were in serious condition, while five people were still missing. Rescue teams rushed to the scene following the explosion, and authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.

Indonesian rescue teams on Sunday retrieved a body and scattered wreckage from a plane that reportedly crashed in the mountainous region of Sulawesi island while approaching its destination amid cloudy weather. The body of a man was found in a ravine about 200 meters deep on the slope of Mount Bulusaraung, near aircraft debris, said Muhammad Arif Anwar, head of Makassar’s Search and Rescue Office and coordinator of the mission. The evacuation of the body is currently underway. Rescuers also recovered parts of the plane’s frame, passenger seats, and what is believed to be the engine. The aircraft, a turboprop ATR 42-500 operated by Indonesia Air Transport, was flying from Yogyakarta on Java island to Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi, when it disappeared from radar on Saturday shortly after being instructed to adjust its approach alignment. Read More: Massive fire at Karachi shopping mall kills 3, injures a dozen The flight carried eight crew members and three passengers from the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, who were on a maritime surveillance mission. The plane was last tracked at 1:17 p.m. in the Leang-Leang area of Maros, a mountainous district of South Sulawesi. An air force helicopter team spotted a small aircraft window in the forested mountains on Sunday morning. Ground teams later located larger debris, including the fuselage and tail sections, on a steep northern slope. “The discovery of the aircraft’s main sections significantly narrows the search zone,” Anwar said, adding that teams are focusing on locating survivors. Rescue efforts are being hampered by strong winds, thick fog, steep terrain, and heavy rain, Maj. Gen. Bangun Nawoko, Hasanuddin military commander in South Sulawesi, said. Over 100 personnel, including elite army search and rescue units, are involved in the operation. Read More: Indonesian plane with 11 aboard goes missing; search underway Photos and videos released by the National Search and Rescue Agency show rescuers navigating a narrow mountain ridgeline covered in thick fog to reach the scattered wreckage. Indonesia, an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, relies heavily on air travel and ferries and has faced numerous transportation accidents in recent years, from plane and bus crashes to ferry sinkings.